Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Winter Park Elks

Winter Park Elks Lodge #1830 installed a reserved parking space to honor members and visitors who are Purple Heart recipients. Elks National Veterans Service Committee (ENVSC) Representative, Ron Goluba; Sue Jovi; Lodge Veterans Affairs Chairman, Nadine Hardin; Trustee, Ron Cunningham; and Exalted Ruler Pat Kortum, all played a part in completing this project. The Wounded Warriors Purple Heart sign was donated by woundedwarriorsfamilysupport.org.

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Written by Sanford Elks

Sanford Elks Lodge #1241 hosted the East Central District Army of Hope fundraiser April 21. There was live music and great barbecue prepared by Sanford’s members. Port Orange and Titusville lodges donated food. Members from every lodge in the district were in attendance to support this worthy cause. Soldiers from the Sanford Army Reserve Center displayed equipment and greeted guests. A therapist from Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services talked with guests about the program. A car show was held in the street with over 20 antique and exotic cars on display. Sanford Lodge 1241 was proud to host an event to help make a difference in the lives of military families. Through donations from local businesses and individuals, the East Central District raised $11,000 for the Army of Hope.

Soldiers Rodriguez and Sandoval and their significant others posed for a picture with PSP Vic McClellan, Army of Hope Chairman, during Sanford Lodge’s Army of Hope fundraiser.

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Written by West Citrus Elks

During the annual Memorial Day dinner and dance, the West Citrus Elks Lodge Veterans Committee presented a missing-man table in memory of fallen POW/MIA heroes. Pictured during the ceremony are committee members Jack Stewart; Joanne Hepner, co-chairman; and Jack McKowen. The table will be permanently displayed in the lodge vestibule.   

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Written by Zephyrhills Elks

On May 22, Zephyrhills Lodge used their Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to purchase and deliver supplies for the Tampa Domiciliary including two laptop computers, Microsoft Office software for all the computers in the resident computer room, and polo shirts and shoes for the residents. The Tampa Domiciliary serves over 100 homeless veterans each year.

Pictured are Ronald McDermott; Ken Fabiani, Exalted Ruler; Ginny Bennett; Mark A. Ruiz, PhD, ABPP, Program Manager; and Judy Osgood, ENF grants chairman for Zephyrhills Lodge’s delivery to the Tampa Domiciliary. Also attending the presentation but not pictured was Roy Leonard, Nurse Manager.

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Written by Lenny Smallacombe

The Treasure Coast Homeless Veterans Stand Down was held May 17 at Veterans Memorial Park in Fort Pierce, Fla. Fort Pierce Elks Lodge #1520 had a booth and used an Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to purchase tents, supplies, personal-care items and food. Every homeless veteran received one of everything available in the 30 booths including free meals, legal services, health screenings, employment services, and help with accessing VA benefits and services. Transportation was provided and the place was packed. Everything was given away to the homeless veterans. It was a very rewarding event for the lodge and the volunteers.

During a veterans Stand Down, Lenny Smallacombe, PDD and Trisha Swayngim, PER from Fort Pierce Lodge speak to a representative from social services and a writer from “Veterans Voices,” a magazine about local veterans events in St. Lucie County.

With the funds from the Freedom Grant left over after the Stand Down event, Fort Pierce Elks donated tents, flashlights, bug spray and personal items for homeless veterans living in the woods.

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Written by Rachael King

On May 28, St. Petersburg Lodge celebrated Memorial Day by taking part in the National Moment of Remembrance, an act signed in 2000 by President William Clinton which designates 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day each year as the National Moment of Remembrance in honor of the men and women of the United States who died in the pursuit of freedom and peace. After the one minute of silence, “God Bless America” was played by the Southern Nights Band and sang by all present.

St. Petersburg Exalted Ruler, Cathy Shriver, asked everyone to observe a moment of silence on Memorial Day. Eric Matos held the American flag.